Hunting Capercaillie in Lapland: A childhood dream realised

Some hunts go beyond the pursuit of quarry - they become memories that last a lifetime. For me, tracking capercaillie in the remote expanses of Swedish Lapland was one of those rare experiences.

It wasn’t simply a hunting trip; it was the realisation of a boyhood dream. For years, the capercaillie had symbolised far more than a bird- it was the emblem of the company where I worked for 15 years, representing strength, wilderness and the ability to adapt. To finally encounter it in its natural realm was something I had pictured countless times.

Stepping into Lapland for the first time, I sensed this was going to be an extraordinary adventure. What followed, however, surpassed all expectations.

Written by: Härkila Ambassador Philippe Lavit

Into the Lapland wilderness

Lapland seizes your imagination from the outset. Endless snow stretching to the horizon, pine forests muffled under heavy white cloaks, and the crisp hiss of skis across frozen ground - it all breathes wildness.

I soon realised this hunt would be as much a test of spirit as of stamina. Thankfully, I was not alone. The guides, true custodians of this landscape, read the forest with effortless skill. They knew when to advance, when to wait, and how to interpret the smallest traces. Without their knowledge, this adventure would not have been possible.

Yet conditions were against us. Unseasonably mild weather made the birds nearly invisible. Day after day we pressed further into the forest, only to be met with silence. Each evening we returned empty-handed, doubts gnawing at me. Would this dream fade before it ever came true?

Hunting on skis: A challange of body and mind

I am no expert on skis, and that soon became apparent. Travelling across Lapland’s deep snow with rifle and kit was exhausting, every uphill struggle, every slip, every awkward recovery drove home how demanding this hunt would be.

Yet that struggle gave the journey its depth. Each hard-earned glide over untouched snow carried meaning. This wasn’t merely hunting - it was a rite of passage, a way of proving myself worthy of meeting one of Europe’s most elusive game birds.

Camouflaged in white: Trusting my Härkila gear

In this vast frozen expanse, blending into the landscape is essential. My Härkila white camouflage quickly became indispensable. It provided warmth, comfort, and, most importantly, the confidence to move unseen across open snow.

When it came time to step off the skis for the final approach, sometimes wading through a metre of fresh powder, the clever design of the trousers, fastening neatly to my boots to keep snow out, was a small but vital advantage.

Out here, equipment is not luxury - it is survival, and success.

The last day: the encounter I had waited for

The days ticked by, each one testing my patience and resolve. And then, when hope was close to slipping away, it happened - on the very last day.

First, a brief meeting with black grouse. Then at last, the moment I had dreamt of since childhood: face to face with the capercaillie.

The weight of the journey, the countless miles in snow, the frustrations and doubts, all vanished in that instant. Pulling the trigger was more than the act of taking a bird. It was the realisation of a lifelong dream.

A memory for life

Looking back, this hunt was far more than a trip north. It was an adventure both physical and deeply personal. The silence of Lapland, the endurance it demanded, the knowledge of the guides, and the elusive challenge of the birds all combined to make it unforgettable.

Hunting capercaillie in its wild northern kingdom was a privilege. Doing so with the right equipment made all the difference.

Lapland gave me more than a trophy. It gave me the fulfilment of a childhood dream: etched forever under the northern sky.

Watch the story unfold

The full adventure is captured on my YouTube channel Feliew Chasse (Hunting), across four episodes:

Episode 1 , Episode 2 , Episode 3 below and Episode 4